From early educational pursuits in the nursing field to becoming a trailblazer in healthcare technology, Dr. Jean Balgrosky’s career path is a testament to her unwavering dedication and innovative spirit as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at MD Revolution.
Early Beginnings in Healthcare
Dr. Balgrosky’s journey in healthcare began with an initial passion for nursing. Enrolling in nursing school at UCLA, she soon realized that while her commitment to healthcare was steadfast, her true calling lay elsewhere within the field. This realization spurred her to explore other avenues where she could profoundly impact patients’ lives through a different approach.
Her exploration led her to the field of medical record science at UCLA’s School of Public Health, a discipline that seamlessly blended her interests in healthcare management and technology. Immersing herself in the world of health services, Dr. Balgrosky pursued graduate courses in public health, healthcare management, and the burgeoning field of electronic health records (EHRs).
Ascending to CIO at a Young Age
Dr. Balgrosky’s pioneering mindset and relentless dedication quickly advanced her career. By the age of 31, she had ascended to the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the 13-hospital Holy Cross Health System, which later merged with Trinity Health. In this early leadership role, she championed the implementation of cutting-edge technologies that went beyond financial orientation and spearheaded advancements in healthcare information systems.
Although she acknowledges that widespread adoption has taken time and technology has had to advance significantly, Dr. Balgrosky has consistently championed the democratization of information. She is committed to making information easily accessible to both healthcare providers and patients. Dr. Balgrosky believes that technology should empower those on the front lines of healthcare, enhancing patient engagement and education.
Leading Innovation at MD Revolution
In recent interviews, Dr. Balgrosky has attested that innovation often outpaces adoption, a reality she encountered upon joining MD Revolution in 2013, then a corporate wellness company. At MD Revolution, Dr. Balgrosky was instrumental in developing a forward-looking remote care platform designed to dynamically address various chronic conditions. This platform was engineered to integrate effortlessly with EHR systems, ensuring continuous connectivity between patients and clinicians. Although the demand for such technology was initially limited, Dr. Balgrosky’s foresight positioned MD Revolution for swift adaptability.
In 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced the first codes to support Chronic Care Management. Thanks to Dr. Balgrosky’s strategic leadership, her teams were ready to meet the emerging need for a system that leverages technology to support holistic patient care. Consequently, MD Revolution quickly evolved into the leading remote care management company it is today, continuously guided by Dr. Balgrosky’s expertise as CIO.
Influence Beyond MD Revolution
Beyond her role at MD Revolution, Dr. Balgrosky serves as a Partner at Bootstrap Venture Fund, where she oversees investments in early-stage companies focused on healthcare innovation. Additionally, she imparts her extensive knowledge and experience to the next generation of healthcare leaders as a professor of Health Information Systems and Technology at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health.
Dr. Jean Balgrosky’s career is a remarkable narrative of dedication, innovation, and leadership in healthcare technology. Her approach and ability to implement groundbreaking solutions have left, and continue to leave, an indelible mark on the industry.
Check out recent interviews with Dr. Balgrosky on YouTube.
Dr. Jean Balgrosky
About Jean Balgrosky, PhD, CIO, Board Member
Jean leads MD Revolution’s IT strategy and development, driving excellence in healthcare innovation. With extensive experience as the former CIO of major healthcare organizations like Scripps Health and Holy Cross Health System (now Trinity Health System), Jean is a recognized industry leader. At Scripps Health, she crafted and executed a strategic health IT plan, implementing an enterprise EHR and overhauling the IT infrastructure.
Jean holds a Ph.D. in Health Policy and Management and teaches at UCLA's Fielding School of Public Health. She authored the textbook "Essentials of Health Information Systems and Technology" and founded Bootstrap Incubation, LLC, to invest in and mentor life science and IT startups.
